The Graves’ Disease Creator

Last Updated: 01-06-24

Your body isn’t out to hurt you. It is an intelligence system that wants nothing but the best for you no matter how you treat it. Give your body a little bit more credit than it being a broken down machine. I believe that illness is a feedback mechanism that lets us know when something is emotionally bothering us under the surface; that we may or may not be conscious of. Are there physical factors involved in illness? YES! Can studies and evidence-based medicine be the only pieces of the puzzle that matter? I don’t believe this to be true. Gather as much information as you can physically, emotionally and spiritually before making any decisions involving your body. Be your best advocate.

With Love, Rachel Reimer

An Illustration of the Graves’ Disease Creator

A Graves’ Disease Creator feels humiliated by a parental figure (typically the mother figure). What the parent figure was taught growing up was “I will give you this horrible pain so when it happens to you, outside of this family, you will be able to handle it with ease.” This is the best form of love that they know how to show; though it is extreme.

Examples:

You spot your mom talking to someone after church. You hear here tell her friend “I wish _______was more capable. _______ can’t seem to figure out how to get better grades.”
You bring your significant other back home for the holidays and introduce them to your mom. Your mom responds with “Wow you are so pretty/handsome! Why would you settle for someone like him/her?”

These comments may feel malicious to the Graves’ Disease Creator. At the core of it, the mother figure is trying to help the Graves’ Disease Creator better cope with the world.

Therapeutic Considerations

The word “creator” is used very intentionally. If an individual can live out the illustration of Graves’ Disease Creator over and over again, it is CREATED. Here are questions that I encourage you to journal about and/or discuss with your counselor.

*Do not sit and think about these questions. Get the thoughts out of your body through writing or speech. A true, unbiased, analysis of oneself can not happen within just the contents of one’s own mind.

Which parental figure is critical of you behind closed doors AND outwardly in public?
Does this parental figure love you at your core? (If you died today, would they be upset?)
How does this parental figure cope with their feelings?
Why do you continue to take these critical comments as “true” if you now understand that the intention of these comments is to build you up and not tear you down? (The parent’s actions are not okay and are not being justified).
Do you know how to stand up for yourself without being critical back?
If you were to be loving and kind to this parental figure behind closed doors and outwardly in public how do you think they would respond? (Channel the love you have for this parental figure at their core. There is a difference between loving someone at their core and loving their actions.) *Do not be loving and kind after they criticize you in public or in private. Be loving and kind at a random time when they aren’t criticizing you in public or in private. If they criticize you in public or in private, leave the physical space (without saying anything or say “I am going to leave now” and LEAVE. No additional comments required).
If you are metaphorically handcuffed to this parental figure to get approval, what do you need to know to free yourself? What if the handcuffs are self-imposed and you can get the key out of your pocket and leave anytime you want?
Is criticism a form of love for some people? (Judgement with the intention to get you to change so that you will be more accepted.)

If you would like to talk to someone that is familiar with emotional stress and how it may impact specific parts of the body, you can book a session with Rachel Reimer here:

www.myraeofhope.com

Disclaimer: Rachel (Reimer) Hyde from Rae of Hope® is not a medical doctor or licensed health care practitioner, and does not claim to be one. Rachel (Reimer) Hyde from Rae of Hope® does NOT diagnose, treat, prescribe, mitigate, alleviate or care for any disease of any kind. Rachel (Reimer) Hyde from Rae of Hope® insights are not a replacement or substitute for appropriate medical care or medical exam; nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Always consult a physician or trained health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of any medical problem, issue, disease or condition.

*The content on this post is based off of opinion and/or observation and is for entertainment purposes only.